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Lesson 6 of 29
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking'

I can use Winsome Pinnock’s comments to understand how her experiences and research shaped 'Leave Taking'.

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Lesson 6 of 29
New
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  • Year 10
  • AQA

Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking'

I can use Winsome Pinnock’s comments to understand how her experiences and research shaped 'Leave Taking'.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources were made for remote use during the pandemic, not classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pinnock explains how her upbringing in London and Jamaican heritage shaped her ideas about identity and belonging.
  2. Pinnock describes how her love of theatre and working with others at the Royal Court inspired her as a playwright.
  3. Pinnock shows that writing a play involves research, observation, mentoring, and learning the craft.
  4. Pinnock demonstrates that passion and authenticity in a play, whether classic or new, engage the audience.
  5. 'Leave Taking' continues to be read and perhaps better understood decades later, showing the lasting impact of her work.

Keywords

  • Playwright - the person who writes a play

  • Intergenerational conflict - disagreements or misunderstandings between older and younger generations

  • Legacy - the lasting impact or things a person leaves behind for others, even after they are gone

  • Writer-in-residence - a writer invited to work at a theatre (or institution) to observe, create, and develop their work

  • Precarious - not secure or safe; likely to change and uncertain

Common misconception

'Leave Taking' was written about the Windrush scandal.

Pinnock explains that she wrote 'Leave Taking' decades before the Windrush scandal, but some themes, like the precarious position of immigrants, happened to resonate with contemporary events when the play was revived.


To help you plan your year 10 English lesson on: Winsome Pinnock on writing 'Leave Taking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You may wish to consider the timing of this lesson. Each learning cycle can be taught as a standalone lesson if needed. This will ensure there is enough time to watch and fully engage with each of the videos.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need access to a copy of Winsome Pinnock's 'Leave Taking'.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Is the statement true or false? A theme in a play is the same as a character.

Correct Answer: False, false, f

Q2.
Which of the following are key themes in 'Leave Taking'?

Correct answer: family relationships and identity
life in a Caribbean village
Correct answer: intergenerational conflict
Correct answer: immigrant cultural experience

Q3.
When was 'Leave Taking' first performed?

1977
Correct answer: 1987
1997
2007
2017

Q4.
Which of the following was groundbreaking about the 1994 National Theatre production of 'Leave Taking'?

It was the first play produced at the theatre.
It starred only British actors.
Correct answer: It was the first play by a Black British woman staged there.
It was performed entirely in Jamaica.

Q5.
Match the term with its correct description.

Correct Answer:act,a major division of a play

a major division of a play

Correct Answer:scene,a division within an act, often changing time or place

a division within an act, often changing time or place

Correct Answer:stage direction,instructions for actors on movement or tone

instructions for actors on movement or tone

Correct Answer:dialogue,the words characters speak aloud

the words characters speak aloud

Correct Answer:theme,the central idea or message in a play

the central idea or message in a play

Q6.
Is the statement true or false? 'Leave Taking' is about Caribbean immigrants’ experiences in London and still resonates today.

Correct Answer: true, True, t

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an example of intergenerational conflict explored in 'Leave Taking'?

arguments between neighbours
Correct answer: disagreements between older immigrants and their children
conflicts between school friends

Q2.
Which of the following best describes why Pinnock was inspired to write 'Leave Taking'?

Correct answer: to show the experiences of Caribbean immigrants in London
to write a story only about life in Jamaica
to create a play with no personal connection
to write a historical documentary

Q3.
Which of the following things helped Pinnock develop her skills as a playwright?

Correct answer: observing rehearsals
Correct answer: researching her mother and community
Correct answer: mentoring at the Royal Court Theatre
her university studies

Q4.
Is the statement true or false? Pinnock had no difficulties when she first started writing 'Leave Taking'.

Correct Answer: false, f, False

Q5.
Is the statement true or false? 'Leave Taking' is better understood today because its themes of migration and identity still resonate, particularly with contemporary events like the Windrush scandal.

Correct Answer: true, t, True

Q6.
What does Winsome Pinnock mean by a “mobile production” in theatre?

Correct answer: A play that can be performed in different locations, not just a single theatre.
A play that uses modern technology, to adapt to different venues.
A production that is designed to be adapted by different theatre companies.
A play performed in one theatre but with a flexible schedule to reach more.